Russia bombed Ukraine on the border with Romania, Reni port on the Danube attacked with drones

Russia has reportedly attacked the Ukrainian port of Reni, a port located on the Danube, on the border with Romania, just a few kilometers from Galati. Images on social media show a series of explosions at the port of Reni, as well as anti-aircraft guns firing at what appear to be kamikaze drones.

Apart from the material damage, four port employees were also reported injured as a result of the drone attack. According to military correspondents, oil tanks, weapons depots and NATO equipment were attacked. In addition, a grain warehouse was destroyed and four employees were injured, the military command in southern Ukraine announced.

The Ukrainian port of Reni, essential for the transport of goods on the Danube, was about 13 kilometers in a straight line from Galati.

“Russian forces continued to terrorize the Odesa region last night, launching an almost four-hour attack with Shahed-136 kamikaze drones on the port infrastructure on the Danube,” the Ukrainian Southern Operational Command reported, reports Ukrinform.

The Ukrainians say at least three drones were shot down by anti-aircraft defenses, but another allegedly managed to get past the defenses and hit a grain warehouse, but did not say exactly where the strike was.

#Russia attack on #Reni early morning with Shahed drones. At 200 meters from #??Romania territory.

Get your right information straight from the source.https://t.co/h3n699W7Q5 pic.twitter.com/SrK936QtMW

— AGRIColumn (@Agricolumn_EU) July 24, 2023

The results of russia’s drone attack at the Reni Port on the Danube, just a few miles away from Romania (= NATO).

Russia fights civilians and the grain. https://t.co/QBNLpTGDNp pic.twitter.com/UaRRekQbcF

— OscarDomesticated (@OscDomesticated) July 24, 2023

Romania condemns attacks

Both Romanian President and PM condemned the attacks near the border with Romania.

“This recent escalation poses serious security risks in the Black Sea,” says Iohannis.

I strongly condemn the recent Russian attacks against the Ukrainian?? civilian infrastructure on #Danube, very close to Romania??. This recent escalation pose serious risks to the security in the #BlackSea. It also affects further UA grain transit & thus the global food security.

— Klaus Iohannis (@KlausIohannis) July 24, 2023

In his turn Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that the targeting of port infrastructure objectives is yet another proof of Russia’s intention to undermine Ukrainian grain exports to global markets, seriously damaging world food security.

“These actions continue the series of aerial attacks by the Russian armed forces on civilian targets in the Odessa region, intensified after the unilateral decision of the Russian Federation to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Cereals Initiative. We call on the Russian Federation to stop the air attacks on the Ukrainian port infrastructure”, the Romanian PM said.

Ciolacu also says that “the targeting of port infrastructure objectives is yet another proof of the Russian Federation’s intention to undermine Ukrainian grain exports to global markets, seriously damaging world food security and thus endangering many people”.

“The deterioration of global food security is one of the multiple consequences of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Romania will continue to support Ukraine in order to identify practical solutions for the continuation of additional grain exports to global markets”.

MApN: “There are no direct military threats to the national territory”

The Romanian Ministry of Defense reacted, on Monday, after the Russian attack near the Romanian border. According to the ministry, “at this moment, there is no possibility of direct military threats to the national territory or the territorial waters of Romania.”

“The Ministry of National Defense strongly condemns the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and the unjustified and illegal attacks targeting, against all international rules and moral and humanitarian norms, the civilian population and elements of the critical infrastructure of Ukraine,” MApN said.

“Regarding the security situation near Romania’s borders, from the evaluations of the structures with responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense, at this moment, there is no possibility of direct military threats to the national territory or the territorial waters of Romania,” states the ministry.

The Romanian Army continues the implementation of enhanced vigilance measures in the national land, sea and air space, and those to strengthen the defense and deterrence posture on the eastern flank, established according to national and allied plans, the MApN representatives also sent.

“The Ministry of National Defense, together with similar structures in allied countries and those in NATO, will continue to strengthen the common defense on the entire eastern flank and deter any aggression against allied territory. Also, the Romanian Army remains firm in applying all the necessary measures to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the area of ​​responsibility in the Black Sea”, the statement reads.